British unions are planning nationwide strikes and rallies in November to protest plans to cut pensions. The Conservative government says that the current pension scheme is not financially viable, and that cuts have to be made. The unions say that raising employee contributions to pensions amounts to a pay cut for workers who cannot afford it. The Labour party asked both sides to continue negotiations and not escalate conflict. The demonstrations are planned for November 30, the day after the government releases its autumn financial statement.
See "Unions plan mass strike over pension reform", Stefano Ambrogi, Reuters, September 15, 2011